Across the nation, many U.S. voters are mourning the arrival of yet another Trump presidency, this one laden with the misogynist, transphobic, and homophobic agenda of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. However, this week’s election still brought victories for the LGBTQ+ community, as some winning candidates make history.
Big wins across the country include Keturah Herron who was elected to the Kentucky State Senate. Herron will become the first out LGBTQ+ person of color in a seat of this kind. Over in Georgia’s State legislature, Rashaun Kemp becomes the first gay black man elected. We also saw Gabby Salinas become the first out LGBTQ+ woman and first Latinx person elected to Tennessee’s state legislature, while Molly Cook became the first out LGBTQ+ member of Texas’ Senate.
A huge and absolutely necessary victory for the trans community comes with Sarah McBride’s election to the U.S. House of Representatives as the first trans person elected to Congress. And another trans victory landed in Iowa with Aime Wichtendahl as the first out trans person elected to the state’s legislature. Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, Tammy Baldwin was reelected to the U.S. Senate.
Another federal level win sees Emily Randall become the first out LGBTQ+ person to represent Washington in the U.S. House of Representatives. Likewise, Julie Johnson becomes the first out LGBTQ+ person to represent Texas in the House. On a more local level we saw wins for Ysabel Jurado who will restore LGBTQ+ representation on the Los Angeles City Council.
Not only are these victories important as the presidency changes hands, but back-of-ballot wins have also enshrined certain protections for Americans in state constitutions. These included Proposition 1 in New York which protects all New Yorkers from discrimination based on sex, gender, race, ethnicity, and more. Various states also voted to protect abortion rights.
Working together to help make the world a better place for everyone is as important as ever before.
